Calay News
The famous sweater known as “Black Sheep”, characterized by presenting a black sheep in the center surrounded by other white sheep, is one of the most iconic garments worn by Princess Diana. This sweater is now in the auction process, scheduled for August 31–September 14, as part of the Fashion Icons Online Sale hosted by a New York auction house. The price of this collector’s item is expected to range between $52,300 and $91,600.
The story behind this sweater dates back to June 1981, when then-fiancée Lady Diana Spencer wore this red shearling sweater designed by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who founded the knitting company “Warm and Wonderful.” The garment became a hit and catapulted the designers to fame. Later, in 1983, the Princess of Wales wore the sweater again in a trendy combination that set the trend.
Nearly four decades later, in 2020, Jack Carlson of Rowing Blazers partnered with the original designers to license the sheep design and reproduce it in his own clothing line. The public response was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting Diana’s enduring influence on popular culture.
In March 2023, an unexpected surprise occurred when one of the designers, Joanna, found the original sweater in the attic, inside a small box, along with a cotton bedspread. Sotheby’s guarantees the authenticity of the sweater through meticulous examination and comparisons with photographs from 1981. This auction represents not only the opportunity to own a historical piece of fashion but also a tangible link to Princess Diana’s lasting legacy of style and influence.
